Coupling



L. RICEFIELD sept. 7, 1937.

COUPL-ING Filed May 2l, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to'improvements in couplings adapted for use in connecting substantially aligned shafts and its purpose is to provide an improved device adapted to compensate for angular misalignment, relative lateral displacement and relative endwise movement of the shafts during their rotation. The present invention is an improvement upon the types of couplings disclosed in my United States Patents No. 1,748,146, dated 1;) February 25, 1930, and No. 2,025,827, dated December 31, 1935, wherein two coupling members, each secured upon one of two substantially aligned shafts, are provided with longitudinally extending lugs or jaws which intermesh loosely with transmitting members, formed preferably of resilient compressible material, through which forces are transmitted from one coupling member to the other. The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved coupling olf the type referred to comprising improved means for retaining the power transmitting members against radial outward displacement during the rotation of the shafts. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling of this type comprising an annular retaining.

member adapted to surround the outer ends of the powr transmitting members and mounted in a free floating positiprr'with respect to these members and the coupling members, with or without means for restricting movement of theretaining member longitudinally of the shafts with respect to either the power transmitting members or the coupling members. Another object is to provide an improved coupling of this typev comprising a retaining member surrounding the jaws of the coupling members and the intermediate power transmitting member's and made up of a continuous band of material wound in a plurality of superimposed convolutions and having the ends thereof `secured together on the outer side of the coupling. to provide an improved coupling of the type referred to in which the power transmitting mem-` bers are restrained against radial inward movement by an annular member, which may be a hub of one of the coupling members, and are restrained against radial outward movement by an annular band of at metal comprising a. plurality nfl-layers wound in spiral fashion about the coupling on the outer sides of the jaws of the coupling -members and about the outer ends of the power vtransmitting members, the superimposed layers ,fof theban being held against unwinding under 'the innuences of forces acting radially outward each other and which receive between them power Still another object of the invention is primarily by their frictional contact with each other when the ends of the band are secured together. A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling com prising a pair of coupling members having longitudinally extending intermeshing jaws adapted to receive between them a plurality of separate power transmitting members in combination with retaining means which is so constructed and mounted with respect to the 'other parts of the coupling that the coupling may rotate freely in a limited space while at the same time permitting access to the power transmitting members for the purpose of replacement and repair. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of one form of coupling embodying the features of the present invention; 25

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the power transmitting members embodied in the coupling shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line .3-3 of Fig'. 1; i 30 Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the annular retainingmember which is embodied in the coupling shown" in Figs.v 1 to 4, inclusive;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlapping ends and an intermediate layer of the annular retaining member before the ends of this member have been secured together;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 6 after the ends of the retaining member have been secured together by folding flanges carried by l the inner end about the other layers of the band;

Fig. 8 is a perspective ,view of the inner end of the annular retaining member showing the flanges carried thereby before the band has been applied to the coupling;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig.

4, showing a modified form of construction in r which the annular retaining band is restricted in its movement endwise of the coupling with respect to the power transmitting members and one coupling member but may -have unlimited relative movement in that direction with respect to the jaws of the other coupling member; and

Fig. is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4, showing another modied form of the invention in which the annular retaining band is restricted in its movement endwise of the coupling in one direction with respect to one coupling member and in the opposite direction with respect to the other couplingmember, whilebeing unrestricted in its relative movement in either direction with respect to the power transmitting members.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, comprises a pair of metallic coupling members I5 and I6 adapted to be secured upon a pair of substantially aligned shafts I1 and I8, respectively, by means of keys I9 and set screws 2li.4 The coupling member i5 comprises a radially extending'disk having formed integrally therewith a plurality of longitudinally extending lugs or jaws l5 which are adapted to internesh loosely with a plurality of similar lugs or jaws IiiEL which are formed integrally with and extend longitudinally from'the disk of the'other coupling member I6. These lugs or jaws I5xi and I6a are adapted to receive between them a plurality of power transmitting members 2| which are preferably formed Da rtly or wholly of resilient compressible material such as rubber;rubberized duck, leather,

The opposite lug engaging faces 2 |b of each power transmitting member may beparallel to each 'other or they may be otherwise formed, but they preferably converge inwardly in such a manner as to bring about a substantially uniform wear Vupon all parts of each power transmitting member which are subjected to compressive stresses during the transmission of power from one coupling member to the other, as explained in my Patent No. 2,025,827, above referred to. The inner ends 2| of the power transmitting members 2| are adapted to contact with and be restrained against inward movement by the hub portions ISC and |6 of the coupling members which project beyond the inner faces of the radial disks of the coupling members inwardly from the inner margins of the intermeshing lugs nr jaws I5 and I 6.

The power transmitting members 2| are restrained against radial outward movement, except to the limited extent which is necessary to permit compensation for misalignment of the shafts, by an annular retaining member 22 which `is in the form of a flat metal band of steel or the like wound upon itself to form the several convolutions of a spiral. proper length for the size of the coupling for which it is intended and, after it has been wrapped around the coupling in the manner shown in Fig. 3, the overlapping ends of the band are secured together by means of flanges 22n which are welded or otherwise secured to the inner end of the band and which initially have the form shown in Fig. 8. These flanges may be bent out`. wardly, as shown in Fig. 6, to form a channel and the lateral edges of the band are provided at intervals with notches 22h which are adapted to align with each other when the band hasbeen wrapped to the proper degree of tautness about the coupling, as shown in Fig. 7. 'I'he ends ofthe This band is out to theer end 22d in its proper position engaging the next inner convolution, and the band has substantially the same strength as a solid band of the same cross-sectional dimensions. In case there is any -slippage of the convolutions of the band upon each other, it is necessary to shear off the flanges 22IL in order to release the retaining member and that wouldrequire a very substantial strain.

The band 22 is formed of steel having some resiliency and it has an initial tendency to assume the spiral form before being wrapped around the coupling, but this resiliency has no function after the band assumes the final shape shown in Figs.

.3 and 5 because the band is then inextensible. It

may be very conveniently applied to the other parts of the coupling after the power transmitting members have been put in place between the jaws and may be as readily removed in the event that it is necessary to replace any one of the power transmitting members.

In the form of the invention shown-in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the power transmitting members 2| are provided with rectangular notches 2|d in their outer ends to receive the retaining member 22 and in this form of construction the outer ends of the jaws I5a and IBa are provided with similar rectangular notches ld and I6d to receive thel band 22. These notches iSd, IISd and 2 |d are preferably of greater width than the band which forms the retaining member 22 so that some relative movement of the band with respect to the power transmitting members and with respect to the jaws of the coupling members is permitted longitudinally of the coupling to accommodate relative endwise movement of the shafts and I8 and misalignment of these shafts. When these notches are provided, the annular retaining member 22, after 'being applied to the coupling, occupies a .position wholly within the outer peripheral surfaces of the disks on which the jaws I5a and I6a are formed, as shown in Fig. 4, so that there is no danger of contact of the flanges 22"L or any other part of the rotating retaining member 22 with surrounding objects during the rotation of the coupling. When the band 22 has been wrapped around the power transmitting members and the jaws in engagement with the notches in these members, it may be flattened out in engagement with the bottoms of the-grooves or notches, as shown in Fig. 3, to form in effect the several sides of a polygon, particularly when the material of the band 22 is formed of relativelythin material. The notches `|5d and iSd are preferably of suchdepth that the bottoms of these notches are not engaged -by the annular retaining member 22 which ythen rests entirelyV upon the bottoms of the notches in the outer ends of the power 'transmitting memthe invention in which the jaws of one coupling member are not provided with notches for engagement by the annular retaining member so that this coupling member is capable of an unlimited longitudinal movement wlth respect to the power transmitting members and the other coupling member. fn this form, a pair of coupling members and 26 are secured upon a pair of substantially aligned shafts 21v and 28 by means of keys V29 and set screws, not illustrated. The coupling member 25 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending lugs or jaws 25a which are adapted to intermesh loosely with lugs or jaws 26a which are formed integrally with and extend longitudinally froml the other coupling member 26. As in the form of the invention previously described, these lugs'or jaws 25a and 2lia are adapted to receive between them av plurality of power transmitting members 3| which may be formed of rubber, leather, rubberized fabric, or combinations of any of these materials, to form resilient compressible bodies through member to the other. The opposite lug-engaging faces of each power transmitting member 3| may ting members are similarly provided with rec-V tangular notches 3|d to receive this retaining member. The outer end faces 25d of the jaws 25 are-unnotched and these surfaces, as well as the surfaces forming the bottoms of the notches 26d, are spaced inwardly from the retaining member 32 which is thus supported entirely by its engagement with the notches in the outer ends of the power transmitting members 3|. With this arrangement, some movement of both coupling members 25 and 26 is permitted in a radial direction with respect to the retaining member 32 when the power transmitting members 3| are compressed or distorted in compensating for .angular misalignment or lateral displacement of the shafts and the longitudinal dimensionspf the notches 26d and 36d' are greater than the width of the retaining member 32 so that this member and the power transmitting members 3| may have some movement longitudinally of l the shafts with respect to the c'oupling `member 26. Since the jaws 25a have no interlocking connection with the retaining member 32, the coupling member 25 and the shaft 21 are capable of an unlimited movement with respect to the coupling member 26 to accommodate relative endwise movement of the shafts during the rotation of the coupling.

In Fig. l0 of the 4drawings there is shown another modification of the invention in which the annular retaining member has no interlocking connection with the jaws of either coupling member or with the power transmitting members. In this form, a pair of coupling'members 35 and 36 are secured upon a pair of substantially aligned shafts 31 and 38 by means of keys 39 and set screws, not illustrated. The coupling member 35 has a plurality of longitudinally extending lugs or jaws 35a which are adapted to interme'sh with a plurality of lsimilar lugs or jaws 36a carried by the other coupling member and the intermeshing lugs or jaws are spaced apart to receive between them a plurality of power transmitting members 4| which may be formed of rubber, leather, rubberized fabric, or combinations of these materials, as heretofore described, so that they are resilient and compressible and capable of being distorted to permit compensation for misalignment of the shafts. The outwardly extending faces of each power transmitting member 4| which contact with two jaws carried by opposite coupling members'may converge inwardly or be parallel to each other, as previously described, and the inner ends 4| of these power transmitting members are adapted to engage the hub portions 35 and'36c of the coupling members, lThe power transmitting members 4| are held against radial outward movement by an an-l nular retaining member 42 which is formed of several convolutions of the flat metal band having the ends secured together in the manner y shown in Fig. 5. In this form, the band 42 is wider 'which forces are transmitted from one coupling than the bands 22 and 32 previously described and occupies nearly'the entire width of the outer ends of the members 4| with which the band contacts. The members 4| are `of such length that the inner convolution of the member 42 is vspaced outwardly from the outer surfaces 35l and Bd of the jaws carried by the coupling members 35 andy 36, respectively, thus permitting some relative radial movement of the jaws with respect to the annular retaining member. In this form of construction, each coupling member 35 and 3B is capable of unlimited relative longitudinal movement away from the other coupling member and-away from the intervening power transmitting members 4| but the outer faces of the jaws 35e and 35a are offset inwardly from the outerl peripheral surfaces of the disks on which these jaws are formed so that all parts of the retaining member 42 lie within these peripheral surfaces and there is no danger of the retaining member contacting with surrounding objects during the rotation of the coupling.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10, the annular retaining member`42 is made relatively wide, as compared with the width of the retaining members embodied in the forms of construction shown in Figs. 4 and 9, in order that this'retaining member 42 will engage a relatively Ilarge portion of the outer end of each power transmitting member 4|, even when the coupli-ng members 35 and 36 are separated to the maximum extent, regardless of the position of the retaining member between the disks of the coupling members. The width of this retaining member 42 is, however, preferably less than the width of the power transmitting members 4| in order that the outer ends of the latter members may be visible around the periphery of the coupling to enable the attendant to determine the condition of these power transmitting members at any time during the life of the coupling. While retaining the advantage of the use of a flat band in the construction of the retaining member with a resulting large frictional resistance between adjacent convolutions, there is ordinarily an advantage in making the retaining tion, there is an important advantage gained with respect to the space which is necessary to permit access to the coupling for removing the annular retaining member` and replacing any of the resilient power transmitting members. If 5 the space through which access may be had to the coupling is only slightly greater than thev width of the power transmitting members, the

annular retaining member may be removed and the power transmitting members withdrawn even though all other parts of the coupling are enclosed by housings or parts of the machinery with which the two connected shafts are associated.

Although three forms of the invention have been shown and described by way of illustration,

it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments coming withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in a coupling for connecting substantially aligned shafts, of a pair of coupling members each adapted to be secured upon one of said shafts, each of said coupling members having a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws adapted to intermesh loosely with the jaws carried by the other coupling member,

a plurality of power transmitting members each interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, and an annular retaining plurality of power transmitting members eachl interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, and an annular` retaining member surrounding said power transmitting members and said jaws and comprising a plurality of radially superimposed convolutions of a flat metal band having its ends secured against relative radial displacement, adjacent convolutions of said band being in frictional contact with each other.

3. The combination in a coupling for connecting substantially aligned shafts, of a pair of coupling members each adapted to be secured upon one of said shafts, each of said coupling members having a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws adapted to intermesh loosely with the jaws carried by the other coupling member, a plurality of power transmitting members each interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, and an annular retaining member surrounding said jaws and engaging the outer ends of said power transmitting members, said .retaining member being spaced from said jaws in a radial direction.

4. The combination in a coupling for connecting substantially aligned shafts, of a pair of coupling members each adapted to be secured upon one of said shafts, each of said coupling members having a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws adapted to intermesh loosely with the jaws carried by the other coupling member, a plurality of' power transmitting members each interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, an annular retaining member surrounding said power transmitting members and said jaws, the outer ends of said power transmitting members being notched to receive said retaining member, said notches being of substantially greater width than said retaining member, and` additional means for preventing radial inward displacement of said power ltransmitting members.

5. The combination in a coupling for connecting substantially aligned shafts, of a. pair of coupling members each adapted to be secured upon one of said shafts, each of said coupling members having a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws adapted to intermesh loosely with the jaws carried by the other coupling member, a plurality of power transmitting members each interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, and an annular retaining member surrounding said power transmitting members and said jaws, the jaws of one of said coupling members and the outer ends of said power transmitting members being notched to receive said retaining member, the bottoms of the notches in said jaws being out of contact with said retaining member.

6. The combination in a coupling for connecting substantially aligned shafts, of a pair of coupling members each adapted to b'e secured upon one of said shafts, each of said coupling members having a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws adapted to intermesh loosely with the jaws carried by the other coupling member, a plurality of power transmitting members each interposed between two jaws carried by opposite coupling members, one of said coupling members having a hub engagedby the inner ends of said power transmitting members, and an annular retaining member surrounding said power transmitting members and said jaws, said retaining member being in contact with said power transmitting members and normally out of contact with said jaws and being composed of a plurality of radially superimposed convolutions of flat material which are not under radial pressure when there is no load on the coupling.

LOUIS RICEFIELD. 

